🔗 Share this article

Local performer GK Reginold rides in a motorised fishing boat through flooded neighborhoods, aiming to deliver essential supplies to those in urgent circumstances.

Some of the families, Mr Reginold says, have gone without help for days, isolated by the South Asian island nation's worst weather disaster in memory.

The powerful storm lashed the country last week, causing catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of more than 400 people, left hundreds unaccounted for and leveled 20,000 homes.

But the flooding has also sparked a rise in volunteerism, as people face what the president has described as the "most challenging natural disaster" in its history.

"The main reason why I wanted to do this, is to at least ensure they get one meal," Mr Reginold states. "And I was deeply gratified that I was able to do that."

More than one million people have been impacted by the disaster and a state of emergency has been announced.

The military has deployed helicopters for search and rescue, while relief assistance is flowing in from foreign governments and aid groups.

But it will be a lengthy process to recovery for Sri Lanka, which has seen its share of difficulties in recent years.

Activists Pitch In at Community Kitchen

In Colombo's Wijerama neighbourhood, individuals who protested in 2022 are now operating a makeshift kitchen that produces meals.

The protests from three years ago were fuelled by a spiralling economic crisis that caused shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Widespread frustration erupted and led to a leadership shift. Now, that civic energy is being directed toward disaster response.

"People came after work, some took turns and some even took leave to be there," a social media activist states.

"We mobilized our network as soon as we heard what was happening last Thursday," he says.

The organizer also views the kitchen as an "continuation" of his volunteer work in 2016, when heavy rains and floods killed hundreds across the country.

Volunteers have gathered hundreds of calls for assistance, shared them to authorities, and organized the delivery of food.

"Whatever we asked for, we got more than enough in response from the community," he notes.

Digital Campaigns for Support

A flurry of activity is also happening on the internet, where social media users have created a public database to direct donations and volunteers.

Another volunteer-backed website helps supporters find relief camps and see what is in highest demand in those areas.

Private companies have organized donation drives, while local television channels have initiated an campaign to provide food and essential items like soap and toothbrushes.

Amid criticism over the management of preparations, the president has urged citizens to "set aside all political differences" and "come together to rebuild the nation".

Critics have claimed authorities of disregarding weather warnings, which they say exacerbated the disaster's effects.

Recently, opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in parliament, arguing that the government was trying to restrict debate on the disaster.

In affected communities, however, there remains a feeling of togetherness as people pick up the pieces after the floods.

"Ultimately, the satisfaction of helping someone else to save lives makes that exhaustion fade," the organizer wrote after working long hours at relief sites.

"Crises are not new to us. But, the compassion and capacity of our hearts is greater than the destruction that occurs during a disaster."